Shenhe is going to get a rerun in phase 2 of the Genshin Impact 3.5 update. She is a powerful Cryo buffer, who is universally good for Cryo DPS units such as Ayaka or Ganyu. To increase Shenhe's effectiveness, players need to get the right weapon for her.
Usually, Shenhe should use a polearm with high base ATK to maximize her ATK stat, alongside the ATK% boost from her artifacts. She also wants ER, especially if her Artifacts' ER is not optimal.
In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 10 best weapons for Shenhe in Genshin Impact 3.5.
1. Calamity Queller
The Calamity Queller is Shenhe's signature weapon and her best in slot. It has the highest base ATK out of all Polearms, and comes with a useful passive. The effect is twice as effective when Shenhe is off-field after using her Skill, which is perfect to complement her play style.
It is best to use the Calamity Queller with an ER Sands to meet higher ER requirements.
Gain 12% All Elemental DMG Bonus. Obtain Consummation for 20s after using an Elemental Skill, causing ATK to increase by 3.2% per second. This ATK increase has a maximum of 6 stacks. When the character equipped with this weapon is not on the field, Consummation's ATK increase is doubled.
2. Favonius Lance
The Favonius Lance is the best 4-star option for Shenhe and is sometimes better than the Calamity Queller (if players don't have enough ER). It has decent base ATK for a 4-star weapon, and can significantly lower her and her teammates' ER requirements, allowing players to focus more on offensive stats.
If you are running a Burst-reliant Cryo DPS like Ayaka or Eula, the Favonius Lance is probably the top choice as they need a lot of energy.
CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character. Can only occur once every 12s.
3. Engulfing Lightning
The Engulfing Lightning has both a high base ATK stat and the necessary ER secondary stat. As the weapon grants more ATK the more ER you have, players can just stack ER on Shenhe while still getting extra Icy Quill damage.
ATK increased by 28% of Energy Recharge over the base 100%. You can gain a maximum bonus of 80% ATK. Gain 30% Energy Recharge for 12s after using an Elemental Burst.
4. Skyward Spine
Skyward Spine offers a high Base ATK and an appreciated ER secondary stat. While it has higher personal damage than Favonius, the team utility is lower. Use this weapon if your Cryo DPS does not rely on Burst (Ganyu, Chongyun, Rosaria).
Increases CRIT Rate by 8% and increases Normal ATK SPD by 12%. Additionally, Normal and Charged Attacks hits on opponents have a 50% chance to trigger a vacuum blade that deals 40% of ATK as DMG in a small AoE. This effect can occur no more than once every 2s.
5. Vortex Vanquisher
The Vortex Vanquisher is a good stat stick, with the same base ATK as Staff of Homa and Engulfing Lightning. It can be a strong option if players also run a shielder.
Unfortunately, its passive cannot stack off-field so players might want to switch it to a more conventional choice.
Increases Shield Strength by 20%. Scoring hits on opponents increases ATK by 4% for 8s. Max 5 stacks. Can only occur once every 0.3s. While protected by a shield, this ATK increase effect is increased by 100%.
6. Staff of Homa
The quintessential DPS weapon Staff of Homa is useful on all characters, and Shenhe is not an exception to this rule. However, it is much more useful for characters who stay on the field instead of Shenhe.
HP increased by 20%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 0.8% of the wielder's Max HP. When the wielder's HP is less than 50%, this ATK bonus is increased by an additional 1% of Max HP.
7. Primordial Jade Winged-Spear
This Polearm has a high Base ATK and an appreciated CRIT secondary stat. It is not worth using Shenhe’s Normal Attacks to trigger its passive. It is better on an on-field DPS character.
On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% for 6s. Max 7 stacks. This effect can only occur once every 0.3s. While in possession of the maximum possible stacks, DMG dealt is increased by 12%.
8. Wavebreaker’s Fin
Wavebreaker’s Fin is a fine stat stick, possessing a higher base ATK than some 5-star Polearms. At higher refinements and combined team Energy Costs, it moderately increases Shenhe’s Burst damage.
For every point of the entire party's combined maximum Energy capacity, the Elemental Burst DMG of the character equipping this weapon is increased by 0.12%. A maximum of 40% increased Elemental Burst DMG can be achieved this way.
9. Missive Windspear
Missive Windspear is a limited-event 4-star Polearm that provides good ATK stats through its Base ATK, secondary ATK% stat, and passive (if she triggers an Elemental Reaction). It is a good free-to-play option to maximize Shenhe’s ATK stat, granted she can meet her Energy requirements.
Within 10s after an Elemental Reaction is triggered, ATK is increased by 12% and Elemental Mastery is increased by 48.
10. The Catch
The Catch provides a good amount of ER and a useful passive at R5, but its middling Base ATK makes it worse than other options. Additionally, The Catch is highly contested among DPS Polearm characters, so opting for another weapon on Shenhe is likely better.
Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 16% and Elemental Burst CRIT Rate by 6%.
>>> Read more: Genshin Impact 3.4 Yanfei Build Guide: Talents, Gears, And Team Comps